I went to visit my boyfriend yesterday and he was saying that there are a few grants and or loans offered to inmates when they get out to help them start a business.. etc. He asked me to look it up so I could see for myself what is offered but I have no idea where to look for this information. Has anyone heard of this or know where I can find the information?

I have not heard of any grant money available, but my husband has told me of a rehab type program to help former inmates train for jobs. I'm waiting for him to get more information so I can look into it.

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We got a Dog, Named him Odin
The cats got mad
The kid rolled his eyes....
But they all get along and
EVERYONE is happy!

R.I.P. Sally! This Dragon is Flying High Again.. WE LOVE YOU & Will Never Forget!

Maybe I will write him and ask him to send me the information. He seemed so sure of it... who knows? I was just glad to see him We just recently got back together after breaking up 19 yrs ago. Who knew prison would bring two people back together...

there was something that they had at the county jail that was called the ex felon packet it had a lot of info about grants and loans..................something about social security about how they give you so much a month for three months prior and after your release but when you called any of the places they no longer excisted that was about a year ago we loooked into it i am not sure if that is what he is talking about..............there is a new packet out with some sort of assistance and help with job training skills but we havent been able to get our hands on it as of yet he is no longer in prisonor jail so we dont know where to get it now.........he is home everyday but tuesdays from rehab working and will be home for good in 5 weeks..............there is some info at the rehab that he is going to bring home if its worth wild ill pass the info along...............he is at cpi in waterford more intense then a regular rehab alot of parolees from prison are being sent there before home ken says its alot like prison but more freedom but structured to help them enter society again i was really pissed about him needing to go there but now after 7 weeks im glad he is there it is actually a great form of help to him and its helping him rebuild himself....so maybe they do have some info on what you are looking for..............ill ask when i see him wednesday.............

We just recently got back together after breaking up 19 yrs ago. Who knew prison would bring two people back together...

Welcome Valentine! I don't have any information for you regarding grants...but the other part of your post I can certainly comment on. I'm back with my high school sweetheart after 25 years! And yes...we've fallen in love again since he's been in prison.

Being the former inmate that I am, this all mostly jailhouse rumors. The old school inmates tell the first timers stuff like this all the time. He is eligible for emergency foodstamps, and that's about it. I have looked for these grants and loans "FOR INMATES" and there is none. I have checked into the social security too and you have to be more than 65 years old or blind to qualify.

When I went to visit my boyfriend, I asked him to mail me what he had concerning this. He did, and it was copied from the law library at RGC in Jackson. Since then, we have written letters of inquiry to several places on the list and only one came back.(national prison project) but I found that they have a new washington dc address so I forwarded the new address to my bf. Guess we'll just wait and see. Also, as far as social security, they do qualify as a disadvantaged minority for being an ex-convict but only have 72 hours to apply after being released.

Not true. There is no benefit from the Social Security Administration for simply being an ex-felon or ex-inmate, no matter when you apply. In another thread, I copied this information directly from the Social Security Adminstrations website. Being an ex-inmate is not a disabilty. Please see the other thread for the info from the SSA.

Rumors are abundant when it comes to money, loans, etc. for ex-inmates. Trust me, as an ex-inmate, I found that you are on your own for the most part.

This was taken directly from the Social Security Administration Website:

The Social Security Administration does not provide any benefits just for ex-prisoners.Once you are released, you can get Supplemental Security Income (SSI)(see http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/11000.html) payments if you are 65 or older, or are blind or have a disability have little or no income and resources.Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability (RSDI—Title II) (see http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10024.html benefits may be payable if you have worked and paid into Social Security enough years (this is determined by your age and the date you became disabled or turned age 62), and:You have a physical or mental condition so severe that it will make you unable to do any work for at least a year, orYou are legally blind, even with glasses, orYou are age 62 or older.If you meet the above requirements, Social Security benefits may also pay:Your child who is under age 18, or severely disabled before age 22, or your wife who is age 62 or older, or is caring for your child who is under age 16 or severely disabled before age 22.If you think you could qualify for benefits based on the above requirements, you should call Social Security’s toll-free telephone number, 1-800-772-1213. If you are severely disabled or over age 62 and you have dependents who could be paid based on your work covered by Social Security, you should call Social Security immediately.
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I agree with Joey, Big rumor!! that rumor floats all over prisons everywhere.. some people have made up info packets and pass them along, but all fake! Here in GR, mich, a place called project rehab will actually help with some money for tools and clothes for work for ex inmates. thats about it. FIA will give medical and food stamps for 3 months. thats about it.
Brian F.

Re: post #6 above...
this link is included "this site covers the Social Security issues for inmates/released prisoners http://www.facs.gov.au/guide/ssguide/37440.htm " but it is for citizens of Australia, not the U.S. (The .au part of the URL is the giveaway.)

Just thought I'd clarify, or perhaps prevent more misinformation being spread.

What special programs are available for ex-prisoners? Answer The Social Security Administration does not provide any benefits just for ex-prisoners.Once you are released, you can get Supplemental Security Income (SSI)(see http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/11000.html) payments if you are 65 or older, or are blind or have a disability have little or no income and resources.Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability (RSDI—Title II) (see http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10024.html benefits may be payable if you have worked and paid into Social Security enough years (this is determined by your age and the date you became disabled or turned age 62), and:You have a physical or mental condition so severe that it will make you unable to do any work for at least a year, orYou are legally blind, even with glasses, orYou are age 62 or older.If you meet the above requirements, Social Security benefits may also pay:Your child who is under age 18, or severely disabled before age 22, or your wife who is age 62 or older, or is caring for your child who is under age 16 or severely disabled before age 22.If you think you could qualify for benefits based on the above requirements, you should call Social Security’s toll-free telephone number, 1-800-772-1213. If you are severely disabled or over age 62 and you have dependents who could be paid based on your work covered by Social Security, you should call Social Security immediately.

I came across a thread here in pto at some point that gave alot of information about grants and social securtity so is a such there a such thing as an inmate being able to apply for ssi and having their claim expedite where it would be available upon release?

I totally agree with Joeyboy (and not just because I like his icon). I've made phone calls and talked to people at the SSI office and researched it for myself and this is my conclusion: You can apply through vocational rehabilitation but you have to go through an evaluation, the funding is for people who are too mentally unstable to hold a typical job in the public and therefore need their own business and need to work for themselves. I think this is the what some people are doing in order to get grant money for their own businesses, they are saying 'prison drove me to be anti-social' and then they are applying for vocational rehabilitation grants.

Sorry, I think the truth is better then false hope. DJK

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeyboy

Being the former inmate that I am, this all mostly jailhouse rumors. The old school inmates tell the first timers stuff like this all the time. He is eligible for emergency foodstamps, and that's about it. I have looked for these grants and loans "FOR INMATES" and there is none. I have checked into the social security too and you have to be more than 65 years old or blind to qualify.

My man actually told me something about this recently. He said he has a friend who recently got out of prison, and the state gave him a loan for 75,000. He just started his own business.

I'd sure as heck would like to know myself! The state doesn't give out money like this so I tend to think its someone who may have had the finances thru family and friends to put up collateral... Heck my daughter can't even get a $10,000 grant/small business loan unless I put up my home as collateral!!!!

__________________

We got a Dog, Named him Odin
The cats got mad
The kid rolled his eyes....
But they all get along and
EVERYONE is happy!

R.I.P. Sally! This Dragon is Flying High Again.. WE LOVE YOU & Will Never Forget!

My guy is in Pugsley in the pre prelease program and he told me that they had to sit through a seminar type deal that talked about different help that is available to them when they get out. He said they can get a loan up to $2000, not sure who it's through, food stamps for 3 months and job placement.